Beis Hatalmud School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Beis Hatalmud School 62 Wellington Street West, Broughton, Salford, Lancashire M7 2FD

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(2), 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(ii)  At the time of the standard inspection in November 2023, inspectors found that the school did not provide pupils with a suitable personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education. This is because the school’s PSHE education curriculum did not give specific regard to the protected characteristics as set out in the Equality Act 2010. In addition, inspectors found that, in some subjects, the school had not set out the knowledge that pupils should learn.  When the school’s action plan was evaluated in July 2024, it was judged that the school’s plans to address the weaknesses in the quality of education were not sufficiently clear to ensure that the standards would be met. For example, the school had not set out the specific actions or realistic timescales to address the areas for development. In addition, the plan did not make clear how the school intended to fulfil its statutory duty to pay

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Main inspection findings

regard to the protected characteristics as set out in the Equality Act 2010.  During this progress monitoring inspection, the inspector found that the school has recently begun a review of its curriculum. The school has set out its vision for the curriculum in an appropriate curriculum policy which was launched in September 2024. The review has led to some improvements to plans and schemes of work in English, mathematics and science. In a few subjects, including PSHE education, the school recognises that there is still work to do to finalise its thinking about the important information that pupils should learn.  In addition, the school has not ensured that its PSHE education curriculum pays particular regard to the protected characteristics as set out in the Equality Act 2010. For example, it does not make pupils aware of how some people are protected from discrimination by law. This limits how well pupils are prepared for life in modern Britain.

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Main inspection findings

Paragraph 2A(1), 2A(1)(b), 2A(1)(d)  At the time of the standard inspection in November 2023, inspectors found that the school did not fulfil its statutory obligations regarding the provision of relationships education for pupils. While the school provided pupils with relationships and sex education (RSE), pupils were not taught the important information that they needed about different types of healthy relationships. This is because the school’s RSE programme did not have sufficient regard for the protected characteristics as set out in the Equality Act 2010.  When the school’s action plan was evaluated in July 2024, it was judged that the school’s plans to address the weaknesses in the provision of relationships education were not sufficiently clear to ensure that the standard would be met. The school intended to provide staff with training about how to ensure that pupils developed respect and tolerance of all people. However, the plan did not make clear how the school intended to

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Main inspection findings

fulfil its statutory duty to pay regard to the protected characteristics as set out in the Equality Act 2010.  At the time of this progress monitoring inspection, the school had developed a curriculum that includes some of the statutory requirements included in ‘Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education’, for secondary schools. For example, pupils learn about respectful relationships, how to make up after a quarrel and being safe. However, the school’s curriculum does not include other statutory requirements such as different kinds of stable, caring relationships, online relationships or how stereotypes about protected characteristics can cause damage.  The previously unmet independent school standards (‘the standards’) in this part remain unmet.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5, 5(b), 5(b)(vi)  At the time of the standard inspection in November 2023, inspectors found that the school had not given due regard to the protected characteristics as set out in the Equality Act 2010. Specifically, that pupils were not fully informed about different groups of people who are protected by law. The school was required to plan and teach a curriculum that informed pupils about the protected characteristics.  When the school’s action plan was evaluated in July 2024, it was judged that the school’s plans to address the weaknesses in the provision for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development were not sufficiently clear to ensure that the standards would be met. The school intended to consider how the teaching of the Bible and Talmud could further ensure how pupils learn to treat others sympathetically, regardless of differences.

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Main inspection findings

However, the plan did not make clear how the school would teach pupils about the protected characteristics.  At the time of this progress monitoring inspection, the school had reviewed how the Kodesh (religious) curriculum ensured that pupils learned about the importance of demonstrating tolerance and respect for others. The school has set out in detail how the Kodesh curriculum contributes to pupils’ wider development. However, the school has not considered how pupils will learn about the protected characteristics.  The previously unmet standard in this part remains unmet. Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7 to 7(b), 32(1), 32(1)(c)  The proprietor has ensured that there is a suitable safeguarding policy in place and that this is available to parents on request. The policy has regard to the appropriate statutory guidance.  There are secure procedures in place for staff to report any concerns that they might

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Main inspection findings

have about a pupil’s welfare. The school communicates effectively with other agencies and professionals, such as the local authority, to ensure that pupils are safe.  The school ensures that all staff receive regular safeguarding training. This helps staff to recognise when pupils may be at risk of harm.  All new staff receive an appropriate induction programme, safeguarding training and regular updates on areas such as radicalisation and extremism and online safety.  The standards in these parts continue to be met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a) and 34(1)(b)  At the school’s standard inspection in November 2023, the standard in this part was unmet. The proprietor had not ensured that the standards were consistently and securely met. This is because, in some subjects, the school had not set out the important knowledge that pupils should know. As a result, some pupils had gaps in their knowledge. In addition, the school had not ensured that the PSHE education curriculum taught pupils about the protected characteristics as set out in the Equality Act 2010.  In May 2024, the Department for Education (DfE), required the school to submit an action plan. This was evaluated by Ofsted and subsequently rejected by the DfE in September 2024. This was because the plan did not show how the school intended to teach pupils about the protected characteristics. In addition, the timescales set out in the

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Main inspection findings

plan were deemed to be too short for the school to bring about the required changes effectively.  At this progress monitoring inspection, evidence shows that the proprietor, the governors and the school have an accurate view of the school’s performance. Collectively, they have taken steps to review the curriculum. For example, the school has begun to identify the important knowledge that pupils should learn in some of the subject curriculums. However, the proprietor has not taken the necessary steps to address the previously unmet standards that require the school to teach pupils about the protected characteristics.  The previously unmet standard in this part remains unmet.

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Main inspection findings

Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010  The school has an appropriate accessibility plan in place.  This statutory requirement continues to be met.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school does not meet the requirements of the schedule to The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 ('the independent school standards') and associated requirements that were checked during this inspection, as set out in the annex of this report. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school's suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 14 to 16 November 2023

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Information about this school

 Beis Hatalmud school is an orthodox Jewish faith school.  The school operates from premises at 62 Wellington Street West, Broughton, Salford, Lancashire M7 2FD.  The school does not make use of any alternative provision.  The school is registered to admit up to 150 pupils.  The school’s most recent standard inspection took place on 14 to 18 November 2023.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  The school’s most recent standard inspection took place on 14 to 18 November 2023. At this inspection, the school was judged to not comply with the standards.  The DfE required the school to prepare an action plan. This plan was statutory. Ofsted evaluated this action plan in July 2024. The DfE rejected this action plan in September 2024.  This was the first progress monitoring inspection since the standard inspection in November 2023.  This progress monitoring inspection was conducted without notice.  The inspector spoke with the headteacher. He also spoke with the chair of the proprietor

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Information about this inspection

body and the chair of governors.  The inspector spoke with the headteacher about the curriculum and assessment.  The inspector reviewed a range of documentation, including that related to the standards and the curriculum.  The inspection also considered the school’s safeguarding arrangements, including the single central register of pre-employment checks and whether the school’s safeguarding policy is available to parents and carers. These requirements of the independent school standards are met.  The inspector made a tour of the school. This included visits to lessons.  The inspector spoke with pupils about their experiences of school life. He observed pupils’ behaviour during lessons and around the school.  The inspector spoke with staff about their workload and well-being.

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Inspection team

Andy Cunningham, lead inspector His Majesty's Inspector

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The school does not meet the following independent school standards

Standards that were not met at the previous inspection and remain un-met at this inspection

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if- – 2(1)(a) the proprietor ensures that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub- paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively;  2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are- – 2(2)(d) personal, social, health and economic education which- – 2(2)(d)(ii) encourages respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act[9].  2A(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor- – 2A(1)(b) ensures that every registered pupil who is provided with secondary education at the school is provided with relationships and sex education, except in so far as the pupil is excused as mentioned in sub-paragraph (2), – 2A(1)(d) in making arrangements for the purposes of paragraphs (a), (b) or (c), has

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

regard to any guidance under section 80A of the Education Act 2002 that applies in relation to the provision of education by maintained schools.

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Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

 5 The standard about the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils at the school is met if the proprietor- – 5(b) ensures that principles are actively promoted which- – 5(b)(vi) encourage respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 34(1) The standard about the quality of leadership and management is met if the proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school- – 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently; – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently. guidance 'Raising concerns and making a complaint about Ofsted', which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/complaints-about-ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

You can also use Parent View to find out what other parents and carers think about schools in England. You can visit www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk , or look for the link on the main Ofsted website: www.gov.uk/ofsted .

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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